The convenient accommodation provided by serviced apartments in Hong Kong is growing in popularity.

When it comes to living and working abroad, housing usually ranks near the top of everyone's concerns. Having moved far away from your home country, it is nice to have a place that you can call home after a long day at work, a place that you can invite friends over to, and a place that you can call your own.

This is where serviced apartments come in. Occupying a niche between conventional hotel rooms – which often lack a personal touch – and private flats which require installing utilities and furnishing from scratch - serviced apartments make a convenient alternative. One bill covers all essential needs, eliminating all the fuss, while the furnished environment aims to introduce a sense of belonging and warmth.

There are two types of people who benefit most from serviced apartments, according to Penny Lawrence, marketing director of Hong Kong Parkview near Wong Nai Chung Gap. "First, expats, either on short-term secondment or who plan to move here for a number of years, but are not sure which area they'd like to live in," she said. "Instead of taking on a long rental, they can spend 3 to 6 months in serviced accommodation and then decide where they want to move to. They get all the benefits of a hotel, but more spacious accommodation and often additional facilities for the family. Secondly, local residents whose apartments are undergoing major renovations often require short-term accommodation, including for their maid. They look for more comfort than in a hotel, with extra facilities and a home style feeling."

Parkview is a large-scale development of residential and serviced apartments located amongst 3,000 acres of Tai Tam Country Park, high above the city. Facilities in its resort area include courses on pilates, karate, tennis and football for children and adults. There is an indoor rock climbing wall, a golf driving range, a three-floor gymnasium, a squash court, and 1 indoor and 2 outdoor swimming pools. In addition, there is a pre-school, a spa, and 8 restaurants and bars. Guests are unlikely to be bored, and the management offers incentives for them to get involved.
"All our guests receive a monthly allowance to spend within Parkview on services from broadband to dining," said Lawrence. "This is complimentary and we hope it encourages guests to experience all our facilities and ensure we're providing them with a home away from home."

On a similar scale to Parkview are developments like the Convention Plaza Apartments in Wan Chai, the Pacific Place Apartments in Admiralty, and Manhattan Heights in Kennedy Town. But in recent years, smaller-scale serviced apartments have also sprung up in Hong Kong's trendy neighborhoods. It's hard not to notice that the Soho area has become home to many of these operations. The convenient location and carefully designed approaches to city living have been drawing many tenants in.

Style is a major selling point for these operations. Jia (or ‘home’ in Mandarin) in Causeway Bay went so far as to engage Philippe Starck for design pointers. The 54 units feature teak floors, objets d’art and soft lighting. Broadband internet comes as standard in all rooms.

If you are fascinated by local culture and want to be closer to the old Hong Kong, then Erba may be a good choice. Situated in the old but regenerating Sheung Wan district, the boutique serviced apartment is participating in the renaissance of the area, which comes with an abundant history and is known for its down-to-earth, local way of life. With shops, supermarkets and more dining options than you might imagine in the neighborhood, living at Erba epitomizes a city lifestyle where everything is within walking distance. The apartment building – which is divided into 1-bedroom flats and studios – provides tenants with a stress-free renting experience in which the monthly rate covers everything from utilities to laundry.

If you prefer the high life, then Four Seasons Place should live up to the most exacting standards. Studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites can be found at this establishment, all of which come with a flexible contract term of 1 to 12 months. Tenants can enjoy their exquisitely-designed pad while taking advantage of all the five-star facilities offered by the hotel group which runs it. These include a rooftop pool overlooking Victoria Harbour, a health club, library, and children’s playrooms.

With unique furnishings, flexible contracts and personalized services tailored to one's needs, serviced apartments are generating an increasing buzz and changing the way many of us live.

Listings
Parkview: 88 Tai Tam Reservoir Road, Hong Kong
Jia: 1-5 Irving Street, Causeway Bay
Erba: 284 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan
Four Seasons Place: 8 Finance Street, Central